Zootaxa, a Review of the Australian Skate Genus Pavoraja Whitley

A review of the Australian skate genus Pavoraja Whitley (Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae)

PETER R. LAST1, STEPHEN MALLICK2 AND GORDON K.YEARSLEY1 1 Marine and Atmospheric Research, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, GPO Box 1538, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia. E-mail: [email protected] 2 121A Antill St, Downer ACT 2602, Australia

Table of contents

Abstract ...... 1 Introduction ...... 2 Materials and methods ...... 2 Genus Pavoraja Whitley ...... 3 Pavoraja alleni McEachran and Fechhelm ...... 5 Pavoraja arenaria sp. nov...... 13 Pavoraja mosaica sp. nov...... 19 Pavoraja nitida (Günther) ...... 24 Pavoraja pseudonitida sp. nov...... 30 Pavoraja umbrosa sp. nov...... 37 Key to species of the genus Pavoraja ...... 43 Acknowledgements ...... 44 References ...... 44

Abstract

The Australian endemic skate genus Pavoraja Whitley, which contains six species including two valid nominal species (P. alleni and P. nitida) and four new species (P. are na ria sp. nov., P. m o sa ic a sp. nov., P. pseudonitida sp. nov. and P. umbrosa sp. nov.), is redefined based on additional material. Members of the group occur primarily on the outer conti- nental shelf and upper slope in both temperate and tropical Australian seas. The species are strongly partitioned geo- graphically with small- to medium-scale ranges. Pavoraja arenaria is known to have a broad southern distribution but none is widespread in the Australian region. Only two species pairs, P. nitida and P. are na ria (off southern Australia), and P. m os ai c a and P. pseudonitida (off northeastern Australia), are known to be sympatric. New information is provided for the two nominal taxa, and the four new species are formally described and figured. Skeletal characteristics are described and illustrated, and a key to species is provided. Members of the genus differ primarily in colour pattern, squa- mation, morphometrics, meristics, and anatomical structure. The relationships of the genus Pavoraja to other arhyn- chobatid skates are discussed briefly.

Key words: Pavoraja, Arhynchobatidae, softnose skates, new species, Australia

Accepted by M. R. de Carvalho: 21 Mar. 2008; published: 30 Jun. 2008 1